Page 6 - Desert Lightning News So. AZ Edition, December 2022

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Desert Lightning News www.aerotechnews.com/davis-monthanafb
By Airman 1st Class PAige Weldon
355th Wing Public Affairs
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Over 300 Airmen from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base participated in an Agile Combat Employment training exercise, Bushwhacker 22-07.
“One of the benefits of having the exercise in Virginia instead of Davis-Monthan is that we can separate ourselves from our home station,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Eric Cline, 355th Wing Inspector General’s office wing exercise manager. “The logistical challenges that came with moving across the country created a learning opportunity for everyone involved.”
launches and recoveries. The U.S. Army’s 7th Transportation Brigade operated ves- sels and local Civil Air Patrol brought airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to support the exercise as part of the oppositional forces.
This operational training was a part of the Lead Wing certification process and allowed DM to prepare for the final certifi- cation exercise, which is projected to take place in 2023.
Throughout the exercise, Airmen faced a variety of training scenarios in order to access and reinforce their multi-capable Airmen skills and ability to adapt to differ- ent environments.
Running alongside with Bushwhacker 22-07 was Air Combat Command’s Agile Battle Laboratory’s Force Protection Op- erations Rehearsal. While Airmen from the wing focused on execution as a Lead Wing, the ABL worked to validate and exercise groundbreaking technology, tactics and unit organization to continue accelerating ACE operations.
The Lead Wing concept allows a base to forward deploy multiple units at a moment’s notice to achieve the establishment of a cohe- sive and successful call to duty by delivering combat power anywhere in the world.
“We are on the edge of innovation,” said Cline. “At the beginning of the exercise, Col. Scott Mills (355th Wing Commander) said, ‘break glass’ meaning, to push the boundar- ies and not be afraid to make mistakes. I be- lieve that’s exactly what we’ve done. This is one of the most dynamic exercises that we’ve done to date, and that really helps us figure out what capabilities we can improve on.”
The lab teamed with the Naval Research Laboratory and private industry partners to introduce new tools and techniques to defeat simulated adversary long-range ISR and reduce the threat of cruise and bal- listic missiles. The lab also introduced Air Defense Artillery Coordination Officers to the wing’s command and control team, who provided joint coordination for simulated Patriot and missile defense in support of ACE maneuvers against a realistic long- range threat.
For this iteration of Bushwhacker, Air- men were spread across multiple locations in Virginia, including Joint Base Langley- Eustis and Naval Air Station Oceana.
Airmen remained agile and ready during all poten- tial simulated threats and complications, despite 24- hour operations.
In addition to the Airmen participating, a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook, its aircrew and U.S. Navy firefighters aided in the success of BW 22-07. The Army aircrew transported Airmen and equipment to the various locations throughout the area while the Navy fire- fighters offered support by being present and ready at all A-10 Thunderbolt II
“These sorts of advancements in what we provide the force will be crucial to meeting the needs of ACE to support the National Defense Strategy.” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Dustin Bennett, Agile Battle Lab com- mander. “We’re thrilled with the feedback we received on our projects from the 355th, and look forward to working alongside them again in the future.”
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristine Legate
U.S. Air Force Capt. Dylan Smith, 354th Fighter Squad- ron A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot, plans flight operations during a simulated evacuation during exercise Bush- whacker 22-07 at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, Nov. 6. Throughout the exercise, Airmen faced a variety of training scenarios to access and reinforce and rein- force multi-capable Airmen skills and ability to adapt to different environments.
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paige Weldon
A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot assigned to
the 354th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base searches for his bags during Bushwhacker 22-07 at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, Nov. 1, 2022. Over 300 Airmen participated in BW 22-07, an Agile Combat Em- ployment training exercise. This operational training was a part of the Lead Wing certification process and allowed DM to prepare for the final certification exercise, which is projected to take place in 2023.
Through continuous training, joint opera- tions and preparation, DM’s ability to relo- cate bases to new locations with minimal notice helps share the Air Force’s future employment strategies.
A U.S. Army Soldier stands on the rear deck o ing U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to Davis- made multiple trips a day delivering Airmen a
LEFT: A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot assigned to the 354th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base disembarks an A-10 Thunderbolt II during Bush- whacker 22-07 at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, Nov. 3. Over 300 Airmen partici- pated in BW 22-07, an Agile Combat Employment training exercise.
BELOW: A-10 Thunderbolt IIs assigned to the 354th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base taxi out during Bushwhacker 22-07 at Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Fen- tress, Virginia, Nov. 5.
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paige Weldon
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paige Weldon 22-
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